Obituaries

William Henry "Bill" Ford Sr., 81, of 3028 S. Greenway Dr., died, Tuesday April 23, 2019 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mr. Ford was born February 28, 1938 in Covington the son of the late Raymond and Mary Meadows Ford. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Shirley Vint. Bill was a team leader for the power department at MeadWestvaco. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time with children and camping at Myrtle Beach. He served in the United States Army in France. Surviving are his wife of 55 years Carolyn Leigh Lowry Ford, two daughters Cathy Daughtery and husband Mike of Chester, Pattye Ford of Covington, three sons Ricky Farley of Jacksonville, FL., William "Billy" Ford Jr. and wife Sherry of Charlotte, NC and Chris Ford of Morgantown, WV. eight grandchildren; Josh Daughtery, Ryan Gillespie, Katelyn Daughtery, Kelsey Daughtery, Courtney Gillespie, Lucas Daughtery, Kerstyn Ford, Luke Bower, two sisters Rosie Ford and Katherine Dudle...

William Henry "Bill" Ford Sr., 81, of 3028 S. Greenway Dr., died, Tuesday April 23, 2019 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mr. Ford was born February 28, 1938 in Covington the son of the late Raymond and Mary Meadows Ford. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Shirley Vint. Bill was a team leader for the power department at MeadWestvaco. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed spending time with children and camping at Myrtle Beach. He served in the United States Army in France. Surviving are his wife of 55 years Carolyn Leigh Lowry Ford, two daughters Cathy Daughtery and husband Mike of Chester, Pattye Ford of Covington, three sons Ricky Farley of Jacksonville, FL., William "Billy" Ford Jr. and wife Sherry of Charlotte, NC and Chris Ford of Morgantown, WV. eight grandchildren; Josh Daughtery, Ryan Gillespie, Katelyn Daughtery, Kelsey Daughtery, Courtney Gillespie, Lucas Daughtery, Kerstyn Ford, Luke Bower, two sisters Rosie Ford and Katherine Dudley both...

Gerald Eugene "Jerry" Lockhart, 71, of Clifton Forge, died, April 17, 2019 in Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem. Mr. Lockhart was born June 2, 1947 in Alleghany Co. the son of the late Roy E. Lockhart and Pearl Crowder Lockhart. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two Sisters Mary Wolfe and Virginia Leffel and two Brothers Ray Lockhart and Roy E. Lockhart Jr. Jerry was a self-employed painter for many years. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Covington, also he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a retired member of The Chapter of South Carolina Phoenix M.C. Clean and Sober Motorcycle Club, and the Christian Motorcycle Association Gospel Warriors # 642. Jerry loved spending time with his dog Harley Boy. Surviving are two sisters Phyllis Burr and Lola Angell and husband Wayne, one brother James "Blue" Lockhart and wife Cheryl all of Covington, and his longtime companion Kathy Knox of South Carolina, also his dog Harley Boy and number of nieces ...

Ethel Mae Gum Hiner, 89, of 1557 S. Greenlawn Ave., died, Monday April 15, 2019 at her residence. Mrs. Hiner was born August 18, 1929 in Cass, WV the daughter of the late Alfred Garfield and Mary Lyle Gum. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charles E. Hiner, and a sister Ruth Roberts. Ethel was the manager for the Dollar General Store in both Covington and Clifton Forge, and at the age of 67 she received her Associates Degree in business from VA Western Community College. Surviving are her daughter Sharon Hiner of Charlottesville, a son Danny Hiner and wife Deborah of Covington, two granddaughters Christina Back and husband Joe of Richmond and Amy Scott and husband Eric of Hampton, two grandson Brian Hiner and wife Jennifer and Shane Hiner and wife Cathy all of Covington, eight great grandchildren, two brothers, Clyde Gum and wife Pearl of Meadow Bridge, WV, and Jimmy Gum and wife Garnett of Goshen, and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral servi...

Stephen Dewaine Bland, Sr., 59, died Friday morning, April 12, 2019, in the Brian Center Nursing Home at LowMoor. Mr. Bland was born August 27, 1959, in Christiansburg a son of the late Rev. Charles S. Bland and Rev. Wilma Hall Bland Haynes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one Sister, Barbara Bland, and three Brothers, William Bland, Gary Bland and Windill Bland. He had retired from Byer, Harmon and Johnson Construction. He was a member of the Good News Fellowship Church. He enjoyed fishing, watching the Redskins and Nascar and spending time with his grandsons. Surviving are his Son, Stephen Bland, Jr., and his Wife, Charlee, of Covington; two grandsons, Cadence Bland and Sawyer Bland, both of Covington; his Step-son, Scotty Ryder, of LowMoor; one Brother, Larry Bland and his Wife, Mary, of Dublin; one Sister, Sandy Lemons, and her Husband, John, of Roanoke; three nephews and a niece and close friends, Danny, Jessie, Katrina, Harvey and Rod. In keeping with his...

William Levon "Boo" Stewart, 41, of 1340 W. Springs Drive died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at his residence. Mr. Stewart was born January 26, 1978, in Covington a son of Curtis Stewart and Priscilla Twitty Stewart of Covington. He was a Bellman at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. He was a member of Life Line Ministries Church. He was a graduate of St. Paul College in Lawrenceville. For a number of years he had served as a football coach at Bath County High School and Covington High School and had served as the head coach of the Covington High School Junior Varsity football team. He was a loving son, husband and father. Surviving are his Wife, Virginia Stewart, of Warm Springs; his Son, Truman Stewart, of Warm Springs; his Sister, Charlesetta Davis and husband Derrick of Highland, Texas; his Maternal Grandmother, Letha Stewart, of Covington; Father and Mother in law Rudy Essex and Ellen, of Warm Springs; a Sister in law and husband Carlisa Essex and Chris of Warm Springs, and sev...

Hattie Marie Cook Thompson, 78, previously of Dunlap Creek Road passed away April 4, 2019, at The Springs Nursing Center in Hot Springs, following an extended illness which she fought long, hard, and bravely. She was born December 28, 1940, in Summers County, West Virginia a daughter of the late Jack and Fannie Doyle Cook. In addition to her parents, Hattie was preceded in death by her husband Bobby, a son Jackie, and two brothers Buck and Pete. Hattie was a homemaker and enjoyed her flower beds and house plants, vegetable and fruit gardening, canning, cooking and crafting. In addition to her love of Christ and serving in her Church prior to her illness, Hattie will be remembered best for her cooking abilities, making sure everyone had enough even when she may have lacked much herself, and never losing her faith during her health issues. Surviving are four of her children and their families; her sons Eddie Thompson of Eastover, SC, Timmy Thompson and wife, Angie, of Covington, and Alv...

George Benjamin Filer, 85, of 6011 Potts Creek Road died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at his home. Mr. Filer was born January 15, 1934, in Midlothian, Maryland a son of the late Benjamin and Hanna Davies Filer. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army. He had retired in 1991 as the Purchasing Manager for the former Hercules, Inc. plant. He was a member of Pinnell Chapel United Methodist Church; Covington Lodge #171 AF the Clifton Forge Shrine Club; the Scottish Rite and Kazim Temple. He was a former member of the Boiling Springs Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was a licensed pilot who loved to fly and enjoyed playing golf. Surviving are his Wife of 61 years, Jane Hearn Filer, of Covington; his Son and Daughter-in-law, George Filer, Jr. and Regina, of Bluefield; his Daughter and Son-in-law, Valerie and Gratten Hepler, of Covington; five grandchildren, Delbert Gratten Hepler,III, and his wife, Lindsey, of Boston, MA, Captain George Benjamin Hepler and his wife, Kaeleigh, of Quantico, Brian F...

Carole Pollock Anderson, 80, of 523 West Jackson Street died Monday, April 1, 2019, in the Springs Nursing Center at Hot Springs. Mrs. Anderson was born August 10, 1938, in Bath County a daughter of the late John and Dorothy Miller Pollock. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husband, Boyd Anderson, and a Son, Boyd Anderson, Jr., both in 2012, and by a Sister, Betty Eggleston. She had retired from the former Edgemont Elementary School as a teacher's aide. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Surviving are two Sons, John Anderson and his Wife, Donna, of Eagle Rock and Todd Anderson of Covington; her Daughter-in-law, Lisa Anderson, of Covington; her Brother, David Pollock, of Salem and four grandchildren, Matthew Anderson, Travis Anderson, Katelyn Anderson and Amanda Anderson. In keeping with her wishes, her body has been cremated. The family will have a gathering Thursday evening from 6:00 unt...

Lacy Abbott Biggs, 93, of 2032 York Ave., died Friday March 29, 2019 at the Alleghany Health and Rehab in Clifton Forge. Mr. Biggs was born August 26, 1925 in Lignite, VA, the son of the late Roy Carson and Hattie Via Biggs. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters Carrine Taylor, Ruby Paitsel, and Elsie Smith, a brother Rex Biggs. Lacy was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War with the United States Navy. He worked for the Eastman Kodak Company and had been attending Edgemont Presbyterian Church. He was an avid reader of the Virginian Review and Roanoke Times and also loved to read the reader's digest. His biggest passion was his little red BMW and his cat, Blacky, who he had loved for 19 years. Surviving are his two sisters; Mildred Caldwell of Covington, and Libby Shelton of Staunton, and a number of nieces and nephews. In keeping with his wishes his body has been cremated. A Private family service will be held at a later date....

Melvin Rian Persinger, 52, of 2026 S. LaSalle Avenue died Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Lewis Gale Alleghany Hospital. He was born June 13, 1966, in Roanoke a son of Melvin D. Persinger of Covington and the late Gloria Morse "Kitten" Persinger. He was a former employee of Lear Corporation and had worked for the past 13 years at Westrock with Ingevity Carbon. He was member of the Triple Springs Hunt Club. He was an assistant coach for the Covington High School JV Girls Basketball team and had coached Little League basketball fo over 20 years. He was an avid Nascar, Pittsburgh Steelers and Virginia Cavaliers fan. He loved to cook and was known for his Wednesday night dinners at his church. "To know Melvin was to love him" Surviving in addition to his Father are his Son, Dylan Persinger, of Covington; his Daughter, Cristi Persinger, of Covington; the Mother of his children, Tracy Persinger, of Covington; two Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Mark and Traci Persinger, of Daleville and Michael an...

Harold Gale Gilbert Sr., age 94, passed peacefully from this life to his heavenly home on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Brian Center in Low Moor, Virginia. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends. Gale, as he was called by his family, was born and raised in the Dryden community of Lee County, Virginia, the youngest child of the late Earvin Riley Gilbert and Emmer Hughs Gilbert. He was predeceased by brothers Tom, Willard (Bill) and Charles. He served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II and was in the " Battle of the Bulge". Harold, as he was called by colleagues, had a long career with Western Auto Supply Company as manager of stores in Louisville, KY and Chattanooga, TN before transferring to Roanoke, VA for a wholesale representative position with the company, where he covered a large territory in several counties. Harold Gale was a Christian, having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior many years ago. While living in Roanoke he...